“How many more times will you remember a certain afternoon of your childhood, some afternoon that’s so deeply a part of your being that you can’t even conceive of your life without it? Perhaps four or five times more. Perhaps not even that.
How many more times will you watch the full moon rise? Perhaps twenty.
And yet it all seems limitless.”
My sister Melanie included the quote above in a book she made me for my high school graduation. I think of it often. However bleak the author’s intentions, it keeps me aware of the precious moments and relationships that define our lives
If the weekend away with my sisters in Martha’s Vineyard didn’t swirl up specific memories of afternoons in our childhood spent together, it certainly swelled with a general vision of who we are as sisters and how undeniably richer our lives are for having each other in them.
This was my 35th birthday celebration weekend. My sisters treated me like a birthday queen all weekend. We’re all hoping it was only the first of many sisters’ getaways. Though sometimes, we will bring our husbands. And our kids. And our parents.
Lots of islanders and tourists recognized us as sisters. We giggled at our differences.
In wake-up times.
Kim: 5:30 a.m. Me: 9:00 a.m. Melanie: Later than that.
In pedicure polish.
You can guess who’s who.
In taste buds.
Them: tuna steak, clam chowder, calamari, lobster, chorizo, ham.
Me: Salad, pizza, artichokes, chicken, turkey.
Food Photography by Kimberly Matus
In fashion.
For the 15 mile round-trip coastal bike ride from Edgartown to Vineyard Haven, Melanie and I donned our finest wicking, athletic wear and sneakers.
Kim, our consummate fashionista, dressed like this:
As we have done for Kim’s whole adorably gorgeous life, Melanie and I laughed hysterically at Kim’s selections, while being completely envious of her body, wardrobe and sense of style. Or I should say, I laughed hysterically, while being completely envious of Kim’s body, wardrobe and sense of style, while Melanie, smartly diplomatic (and completely envious of Kim’s body, wardrobe and sense of style), asked, “You want to wear shorts on a bike?”
To which Kim answered, “I think they’re better than a long dress.”
I am still laughing hysterically. Less at Kim, than at me. I wear workout clothes more times in a week than my naturally stunning little sister wears all year. Kim did change into my extra pair of workout capris and running socks and Melanie’s extra set of sneakers. It was the right choice for our very long day of biking, though Kim clearly won the wardrobe prize the rest of the weekend. I tried very hard to take styling notes.
Martha’s Vineyard is beautiful, rustic in parts, and as we learned in Sunday’s confusing adventure, very, very large. Cycling through the island flooded me with memories of other island journeys, afternoons I might not have ever remembered without experiencing this one, like an accidentally epic 30 miler in Lipari off the coast of Sicily and picnicking in Kangaroo Island, Australia.
Thank you, Melanie and Kim, a hundred times over. I am so grateful we found the time to be together. And even more grateful, that we all can’t wait to do it again.
To see more of our awesome itinerary, vistas and culinary delights, visit Love U Madly.
Nothing could make a Mom happier than seeing her adult children together again like when they really were children. Always hold each other close to your hearts.
Looks like such a fun weekend! I have three sisters and would love to get together with them, without the family for a weekend. So nice!
MomBons,
I love the LOVE! They are so generous to each other. Like I said to Kim, you ALL make me wish I had sisters. Notwithstanding, I love my brothers with every breath I take…and I’ll just have to continue my annual trip sans my boys with my best friends.